Body Mounted Muscular Brace

ABSTRACT

A portable, easily body-mounted, light-weight hinged brace to build muscle groups by adding adjustable resistance at the joint

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

None

BACKGROUND—FIELD Motivation:

With the proliferation of exercise equipment and workout facilities,including home equipment, and the shortening of leisure time for typicalAmericans, it became evident that it would be convenient and popular tohave easy inexpensive personal workout equipment that could beimplemented and used even while at work.

Object:

It is an object of the present embodiment to provide an easy to use andeffective method of body building, which is adjustable, affordable,light weight, portable, safe, effective, expedient, and unobtrusive.

Design:

Based on the isometric principles of muscle building using resistance tomuscular movement, similar to principles used in water (pool) exerciseroutines, the idea was to impede the normal movement of muscles, so thatnormal daily movement would build and tone muscles.

The embodiment therefore is fairly simple in concept, but somewhatdifficult to implement since it needs to be mounted to the human form,which varies greatly and is not static. This embodiment could beoriented at any joint in the body, but with different mounting.

The preferred embodiment would fit flush to the body as a molded partialexoskeleton frame, which would be attractive and may have certainaesthetic design elements to appeal to the target market group, such asartwork, or body sculpting form. It would be easy to wear and removewithout damage or alteration to clothing and could be stored andadjusted easily. The exoskeleton may also offer some side benefit asarmor.

Since the elbow has a limited range of motion, it is the simplestapplication. Therefore, it was used to build the prototype. Thebicep/tricep area is also a focal point of body building and beauty,increasing the potential for public acceptance.

The prototype therefore concentrates on the bicep and tricep musclegroups. The devise mounts to the arm using elastic and Velcro bindings,and is a brace comprised of splints that dual hinges at the elbow.

This hinge has adjustable resistance. The rough prototype uses wing-nutsto tighten resistance, but it is the intention to replace these withflush nuts, that could be easily adjusted, but would not hook, snag, orinjure.

Friction resistance is inexpensive and therefore affordable to implementand manufacture, yet offers a reasonably adjustable method of changingthe resistance for individual use. The prototype is adjustable at thehinge by screwing down wing-nuts on the hinge, to resist motion.

The dual pivot point of the hinge is geared together so that both splintarms move in unison. This allows the combining of the resistance at eachhinge of both pivot points.

We could also use a dashpot design, where movement of the hinge forcesfluid through an adjustable restricted passage, causing resistance.Although the dashpot design is much more expensive, we are working ondesigning a less expensive implementation.

The prototype can be worn under normal clothing, so is unobtrusive.

The devise has additional desirability because it focuses on severalphysical problem areas increasing in our ever sedentary population. Oneis the adipose tissue surrounding the triceps muscle. Because of thelong term low resistance (versus short period, low repetition, highload), the device has a quick effect of toning the muscle groups. This,in turn, has the additional benefit of fighting osteoporoses. Thepreliminary response to the devise is very positive.

Testing the prototype showed that the body quickly adjusted to theadditional resistance of movement, which resulted in noticeable toning,and development of the muscle group. Further testing will be done undercontrolled conditions to measure and document the impact on the muscledevelopment.

Application:

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the presentembodiment can be applied with various modifications, such as but notlimited to, various shapes, sizes, materials, including fabric, leatheror metal, various colors, fasteners or elements for receiving fasteners,ground surface anchoring methods and components, etc. Uses includeexercise systems for any part of the body, even to compensate for ano-gravity environment, without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present embodiment. The use also extends beyond exercise into healthapplications, such as rehabilitation, or use to inhibit spastic oruncontrolled movement, such as in the case of some neurologicaldisorders or diseases. Thus several advantages of one or more aspects ofthe embodiment are to fulfill a perceived need in light weight, lowcost, safe, effective, and expedient means for exercising a group ofmuscles and building bone mass. This concept, as stated earlier includesother muscle groups and other applications.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

The common method of strengthening tissue is with either the use of freeweights or the use of exercise machines.

Free weights work against gravity and varying weights, and typicallywork one muscle group in only one direction at a time. The use of freeweights excludes other activities, and typically completely monopolizesthe hands. They are not adjustable, without removing or addingadditional weights. They cannot be transported easily.

Exercise machines are not portable, and work only specifically targetedmuscular areas, although they are typically adjustable. Machinestypically need your full attention, monopolize the hands, are not easilyaffordable

Neither of these common methods of exercise offers the versatility ofthe proposed embodiment.

Patents appearing to have some possible relationship to the proposedembodiment are patented as:

1. Exercise device with single resilient elongate rod and weightselector controller

U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,236

Dalebout, et al. Sep. 30, 2008

Abstract

An exercise apparatus with a single resistant rod configured to provideresistance for use in exercise and an electronic weight selectormechanism for use with a resistance rod having a variable resistancesystem and an electronic selector control. The weight selector controlincludes a bi-directional control and a plurality of indicia. Thebi-directional control allows the user to change the amount ofresistance provided by the single resilient elongate rod in combinationwith the variable resistance system. The plurality of indicia allows theuser to monitor the amount and direction of change in resistance whileoperating the bi-directional control.

This patent is not body mounted, and is for use with typical plateweights, so has almost no overlap with the proposed devise, and shouldnot affect the patent pending.

2. Curler exerciser

U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,520

Danowski Aug. 26, 2008

Abstract

Curler exercise apparatus includes first and second frames pivotallymounted to each other at a pivot junction proximate a user's extremityjoint for exercising extremity muscles against the bias of a biasingmember coupled between the frames

Although this patent has some similarities (brace frame and pivot point,which are typical in all braces or splits), it is primarily to exercisethe bicep muscle, uses adjustable springs to cause the work, doesnothing to work both muscle groups It uses torsion springs, not frictionor adjustable dashpots. It also has a handle, which my devise does not,as my devise it designed as to not impair movement of the hand or wrist.

3. Forearm-mounted, adjustable exercise device

U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,507

Jozsa Dec. 4, 2007

Abstract

A forearm-mounted exercise device has a framework provided with a weightsupporting bar and a handgrip on a first portion of the framework, and apair of spaced apart forearm braces on a second portion of theframework. A rotary adjustment arrangement is incorporated in theframework for enabling rotational positioning between the first portionof the framework and the second portion of the framework. A forearmbrace adjustment arrangement is disposed on the framework for changingthe spacing between the forearm braces on the second portion of theframework

This devise is a forearm-mounted exercise device which has a frameworkprovided with a weight supporting bar and a handgrip on a first portionof the framework. The proposed embodiment differs as it has no weightadded, no handgrip, but relies on either friction resistance built intothe hinges, or an adjustable dashpot system. There is no reliance onweight to generate work, as in this patent.

SUMMARY

The preferred embodiment includes the reusable frame which easilyaffixes to the body on sides of a body joint, articulates around ageared hinge, which can be adjusted for resistance to impede motion inall directions. It can be worn, adjusted, and stored easily. It islightweight, intended to be manufactured from strong plastic, with metalhinges tightened by metal screw down adjusters.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a possible configuration of the preferred embodiment from aside view, showing one-half of the devise.

FIG. 2 shows a possible configuration of the preferred embodiment froman overhead perspective of two braces being used in unison.

DETAILED DESCIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the different perspectives of the devise as designedfor the bicep tricep use. The braces are strapped down in such a manneras to hold the splints in place and maintain the relative shape of thebraces without altering or damaging clothing, without impeding range ofmotion, or cutting off circulation.

The brace should be made primarily from plastic or metal, with a softbreathable interior liner, hinged with metal adjustable screw joint (ora rotational dashpot). Attention should be given to the weight,strength, color, durability and porosity of the material used tomanufacture the braces. The braces should further incorporate a designthat would be aesthetically appealing to the user.

The strapping device, which anchors the brace to the body. should alsobe made primarily from a material that is selected from the groupconsisting essentially of fabric, plastic, leather, or Velcro, and/or acombination thereof (most probably in the form of a strap, rope, cableor other commonly known prior art used for attaching one element toanother). In addition, the strapping device may include ways ofadjusting length and/or tension. It may be appropriate to use astrapping device that incorporates elasticity attributes (such as at thejoint). The strapping device should be of sufficient strength to secureand maintain the relative orientation of the preferred embodiment. Thestrapping device should include a mechanism such as a clasp or hook orVelcro at the end that is attaching to the brace and then at the otherend of the brace.

Prototype:

-   -   The prototype (see FIG. I and II) has three straps binding two        pairs of splints, mounted on opposite sides of the joint, each        side with a central hinge:    -   The Wrist Strap: The wrist strap will be mostly constructed of        molded plastic (with a soft smooth interior and connected to the        brace), giving it an open hoop structure, fastened across top.        It does not bind the wrist, but allows the wrist to twist within        the hoop.    -   The Elbow Strap: The elbow strap is attached to the hinge. The        inner elbow strap is not elastic (this is to restrain distortion        of the brace during movement), but adjustable initially to fit        the body size without being too tight and cutting off        circulation. The outer elbow strap is elastic. The outer elbow        strap fits around the elbow bone to align the devise and hold it        in place.    -   The Armpit Strap: This strap is molded to the brace, adjustable        to hold the brace on opposite sides of the arm, and fastened        across the top of the arm. The adjustment can be done by        inserting the inner splint into a pocket on the strap, or having        it adhere to a Velcro on the strap and the end of the back        split.    -   Hinges: Located at the joint, will be dual hinges, geared        together to move in unison (for purpose of doubling the friction        of the two friction hinges). The hinge consists, in the case of        the elbow hinge, of two hinges, approximately 3 centimeters        apart (this is measured as is normal in the human body). The        gearing may be of any dimension, as long as it causes the two        splits of the brace to move in unison.    -   Splints: these are the arms extending out from the central        hinge. A pair of these (forearm and upper arm) extending from        each side of the joint.

Operation:

-   -   To apply the embodiment, the following will demonstrate how to        use the prototype, designed for the forearm.    -   Remove from storage, open the brace. Insert the forearm into the        elbow strap. The outer elbow strap fits over the elbow bone, to        align the devise. Fastened the armpit strap snugly around and        over the upper arm. Fastened the wrist strap around and over the        wrist, making sure that the wrist can rotate freely.    -   To use, just wear the devise during normal activities. Tighten        resistance to a comfortable level. It would be preferable to        wear two, one on each opposite appendage, as to not cause        favoritism toward non-encumbered limbs. For safety reasons, it        is advised to remove the devise(s) while operating machinery or        sleeping.    -   To remove the brace, simply detach the wrist and armpit straps,        and slide the elbow out from its elastic strap. The brace can        then be folded in half for easy storage.

The foregoing is intended to teach and disclose the preferred use of theembodiment.

1. Claim the idea of adding resistance directly to the joint of the bodyby attaching a resistance brace in order to control, strengthen and/ortone all muscles and bone working that joint.
 2. Claim a methodproviding resistance through the hinges, using either adjustablefriction or rotational dashpots.